Candidate for
Councilmember; City of Alameda

I am a candidate for the Alameda City Council because I believe that the most successful communites are where governments work in partnership to support all residents - the most successful and the most vulnerable. That means that the City Council and and the School District should be working together to develop policies and laws to support healthy businesses and healthy youth. Local businesses should be able to direct their profits towards improving the neighborhoods where they do business in order to stimulate more business and beautify the community.

My first priority is a safe and healthy community. I am proud of the work that I have done in this area. As the President of the School Board I led the effort to develop the District's first ever Wellness Policy and increase nutrition and physical activity standards. The City of Alameda is in a unique situation - we have the opportunity to develop Alameda Point in a green and envieropnmentally sound way and we can open up the greenbelt as a beautiful park for community uses. My background in public health and public policy provides me with the experience and the connections to move Alameda forward in these endeavors.

A healthy community will mean that resource decisons will have to take into account quality of life issues not just look at the bottom line. As a member of the School Board for the past 4 years I have balanced the budget and negotiated three contracts with employee unions, while improving test scores and building the first new school in Alameda in more than 20 yeaars. I now how to move forward even in tough economic times!

I grew up in Alameda. My experience as a School Board member and as a public administrator gives me the ability to effectively respond to these threats and opportunities. My background as a manager of local, state and federal government programs, my accomplishments as an elected leader in Alameda, and my commitment to education, the environment, equitable opportunities for families, and sustainable business, ensure that I can move Alameda forward.

But really I want to be on the City Council because I am the mother of a 7 year old child. I want my son to grow up in a diverse, thriving, safe and successful community. I want him to be able to ride his bike to school or to the park without fearing for his safety. I want him to be able to pick up the materials for a school project, go see a movie with friends, and buy a new bike - all without leaving Alameda. And above all I want him to relish - like I do - the community spirit that is Alameda.